Sparrow Records pop/rock trio Above The Golden State will release its sophomore album, The Golden Rule, Jan. 26, 2010. The follow-up to its critically acclaimed 2008 self-titled debut, The Golden Rule contains a collection of songs that explore the core elements of Christian faith.

Living in Portland, a city where much of Christianity, like the music scene, is underground, Above The Golden State went back to the basics. Frontman Michael Watson explains, “I feel like we got a fresh, clean, unbiased start to following Christ and understanding God through his Word, and that’s why we draw from who we are and share that message musically.”

The band used “The Golden Rule” as the starting point for its new songs. “The Golden Rule, to love God and your neighbor as yourself, is a commandment we’ve all been given,” says Watson. “Through these songs, we want to encourage the Church to return to that fundamental truth. We are constantly pursuing God upward, serving God within our community and going into the world to share His message.”

The Golden Rule is driven by the band’s desire to love the world as Jesus did. The album aims to move listeners beyond mere words to actions that support faith and delivers the message through thought-provoking lyrics. The result is songs that are meant to inspire Christians to live out love to those around them in their own communities, neighboring cities, across the country and around the world.

The band addresses authentic Christianity in “The Real You” and couples that with a practical application in “Tragedy,” where the band investigates life’s darker realities that come with divorce, cancer, lost jobs or even loss of faith.

Following up the hit singles “Sound of Your Name” and “I’ll Love You So,” the band’s debut single from The Golden Rule, “I Am Loved,” is currently going for adds at Christian AC and CHR radio. The band will debut new music from The Golden Rule on tour with label mate Sanctus Real this spring.